Alone: The Observer Book of the Singlehanded Transatlantic Route.

GILLES, Daniel. Translated by John Buchanan-Brown.

Item Number: 112904

London: Angus & Robertson, 1977.

First edition in English of Daniel Gilles’ account of the most difficult yacht race in the world. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs, charts and diagrams. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Alone is the story of the most difficult yacht race in the world: the Royal Western/Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic. Daniel Gilles, with a mixture of technical knowledge and exciting narrative has vividly recreated the story of the five races that have so far taken place, and the development of single-handed racing which they have encouraged and refined.